Non Technical Summary
Over the past few decades, the turfgrass industry has evolved to address emerging issues like water scarcity, greenhouse gas emissions, and nutrient pollution. These issues continue to be important, while issues like pollinator decline, soil health, climate resiliency, and changing market preferences have emerged as new challenges for the industry. The proposed planning project seeks to foster dialogue on how increasing species richness in turf systems can aid the turf and landscape industries in meeting the needs of stakeholders and future urban landscapes.The proposed meeting will be held in Stillwater, Oklahoma in fall 2024.Approximately 20 academics from 11 institutions will participate in the meeting along with selected industry stakeholders who will be invited to represent perspectives of sod producers, nurseries, landscape contractors, native plant enthusiasts, and municipal governance.To support the research group in developing a subsequent full proposal, a nationwide household survey will be conducted to provide preliminary data to bridge the existing gap between homeowner preferences for lawn turfgrass, their knowledge of ecosystem benefits, and the potential for developing alternative turfgrass cultivars. The survey data will inform the research group about strategies to enhance ecosystem services (e.g., pollinator-friendly) while maintaining the aesthetic characteristics that consumers desire and value most.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
136	0530	1070	10%
205	0530	1070	20%
211	0530	1070	10%
607	0530	3010	10%
901	0530	0001	50%

Knowledge Area
136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 205 - Plant Management Systems; 901 - Program and Project Design, and Statistics; 607 - Consumer Economics;

Subject Of Investigation
0530 - Parks and urban green space;

Field Of Science
0001 - Administration; 1070 - Ecology; 3010 - Economics;

Goals / Objectives
The goal of this project is to create meaningful discussion on biodiverse lawn systems toward the development ofa full proposal for future SCRI funding cycles. Objectives will include 1) hosting an in-person meeting of academics and stakeholders from the turf, ornamentals, and native plant disciplinesand 2) conducting a nationwide surveyof consumer preferences pertinent to biodiversity in the lawn. Stakeholders will be directly engaged through discussion sessions, expert presentations, and field tours of relevant spaces on the Oklahoma State University grounds. The results of the meeting and survey will be used to develop a subsequent full proposal in the future.

Project Methods
The project will host a two-day meetingin Stillwater, Oklahoma in the fall of 2024. The location was chosen due to the presence of a regional commercial airport (SWO), close proximity to The Botanic Garden at OSU (TBG), and technical support for recording the meeting proceedings (Office of Communications & Marketing for OSU Agriculture). The Horticulture Education Building is a newly created space (opened in Jan 2024) at the site of TBG with sufficient space for the proposed meeting. The site is easily accessible by major state highways and has public parking. The site is also within walking distance of the Turfgrass Research Center which will be used to showcase ongoing research activities of OSU faculty relevant to the project.An interdisciplinary organizing committee having broad geographic representationhas been developed to oversee the implementation of the meeting. Academics and industry stakeholders will be invited to attend the meeting, make presentations, and lead discussion sessions relevant to the topic. Proceedings from the meeting will be made available through the Office of Communications & Marketing for OSU Agriculture.To support the research group in developing the full proposal, a nationwide household survey will be conducted to provide preliminary data to bridge the existing gap between homeowner preferences for lawn turfgrass, their knowledge of ecosystem benefits, and the potential for developing alternative turfgrass cultivars. The survey data will inform the research group about strategies to enhance ecosystem services (e.g., pollinator-friendly) while maintaining the aesthetic characteristics that consumers desire and value most. This survey will gather insights from homeowners focusing on their preferences, practices, and willingness to adopt turfgrass types and lawn management strategies that not only meet aesthetic standards but also contribute significantly to ecological diversity and sustainability.The methodology will employ a structured questionnaire using the online survey platform Qualtrics. Distributed to 1,000 homeowners living in homes with maintained landscapes, the survey will incorporate questions on current lawn management practices, prior knowledge, perception of ecosystem services provided by lawns, preferences for aesthetic vs. ecological benefits, and willingness to adopt turfgrass varieties that offer enhanced ecosystem services.